Windy Cross
​Mill Street, Torrington, EX38 8AL
​Minister Revd. Robert Blackhall
​Phone 01805 628041
​email: robertjblackhall@gmail.com

Serving God and the People of Torrington   


 Worship services  weekly at 10.30am.
Sunday 12th December will be led by Mrs Lorna Dawe
3rd Sunday in Advent 
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See Covid advice in the Notices section.
​No need to book, but you will be asked to wear your mask.
​Singing is now allowed.
Circuit Plan is on this website , click on the button below. 
Zoom services will  continue, details in Newsletter, but they will be at 6.30pm from July
Please contact any of the church stewards for help if you need it.

There is no doubt as to the seriousness of the current Covid-19 epidemic. Nor is there any question that there are going to have to be, in the short and medium term, changes to the way we live our lives. That clearly includes the Church
I believe that we are now in a situation where while we need to consider what we must do to protect ourselves; we must also consider what WE must do to stop the spread of Covid-19 and make adjustments accordingly. At the same time, I hope we can continue our lives as Christian Disciples, although perhaps in different ways from that which we have been used to.
 We have rightly said over the years that the Church is about people, not the building. Indeed, the Greek word for Church is Ecclesia, meaning assembly, people. We are the Church. Yes, we are glad for our buildings, sometimes! But now we have the opportunity to be Church where we are. The worship life of the Church will continue because we will continue it, where-ever we are, and in the next period, in our homes.
Similarly, our Pastoral care and service will continue, in different ways; but nevertheless, faithfully and effectively. There are sections of our community that are extremely vulnerable. It is stating the obvious that many are in our Church communities.

  1. Worship
We provide Worship Material via the Newsletter for people to use in their own homes. There are also a range of services available via the internet  and Zoom . A Torridge Circuit Zoom service is held every sunday at 6.30pm, the link can be sent to you as can the telephone numbers to engage with that service by phone. If you have not received the info for this Sarah our  Circuit Admin will let you have details or any Church Steward will help you.
Funerals  services on Methodist Premises can be held and also we will conduct services at the Crematorium and in Graveyards. 
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  1. Learning and Caring
 Bible Study is being held again on Zoom, info again in the Newsletter or will be sent to you by email.

Pastoral Visits – 
Pastoral Care is ongoing and your visitor will keep in touch.
Care Homes and Nursing homes have  imposed restrictions on visiting.
Prayer – dedicated phone line to ring with prayer requests: - 07947 102542. This will be listened to each day and prayers will be said.
  1. Service
Of others – Love your neighbours – check on them and keep in touch.
Shopping for others – by all means, but please be aware of the risks to others in going into their homes and having contact with them. See the guidelines on the Methodist Church Website.
  1. Evangelism
Continue our good practice.
Be aware and make others aware of Romans 8 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Pray for our country, our world, for each other.
 Clearly it is going to be a tricky time for Churches with cash flow issues. Is now the time to consider giving to your Church via electronic means or direct debit? Your Church treasurer will be able to advice and help.
 The current advice of the Methodist Church can be found at (Keep checking daily please)
https://www.methodist.org.uk/about-us/coronavirus-guidance/
 
We should not be afraid “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7.
 
God of all hope we call on you today.
We pray for those who are living in fear:
Fear of illness, fear for loved ones, fear of other’s reactions to them.
May your Spirit give us a sense of calmness and peace.
We pray for your church in this time of uncertainty.
For those people who are worried about attending worship.
For those needing to make decisions in order to care for other
For those who will feel more isolated by not being able to attend.
Grant us your wisdom.
Holy God, we remember that you have promised that
Nothing will separate us from your love – demonstrated to us in Jesus Christ.
Help us turn our eyes, hearts and minds to you.
Amen
LET US BE CREATIVE IN SHOWING AND SHARING GOD’S LOVE